I'm here to keep my promise! Here's the second update of the day.
However, he wasn’t foolish. When the Countess came, Lady Miranda’s words would likely lose their authority. Most of what was decided would be undone, so he remained silent with a faint smile.“There’s an old saying: ‘Fortune favors the bold.’ You can’t hope for both safety and success; life doesn’t work that way. Opportunity knocks but once. You should think this through carefully.” With the bait already set, Miranda smiled lightly and left.After returning to her room, Miranda changed her clothes and freshened up. She then headed to the front hall with Molly and Silvia. The Countess had already arrived, sitting quietly. Everyone involved in the matter had also been summoned.The Countess said, “Miranda, why didn’t Lady Langley return with you? Something so serious has happened in the manor, and she thinks she can avoid trouble by hiding away?”Miranda replied calmly, “Please don’t be upset, Madam. Lady Langley was exhausted after I took her out for a whole day. I felt sorry for her,
Jack lowered his head in a deep bow, though his mind was roiling with turmoil. He finally understood what Miranda had meant earlier by "an opportunity." Just from this brief interaction with Miss Miranda, it was clear how clever and strategic she was. Moreover, she was currently the Earl's favorite, with her status in the household rising rapidly. As these thoughts churned in his mind, Jack made a silent decision and discreetly signaled one of his men to leave the front hall."Well, I’ve said everything that needed to be said—"At that moment, a maid at Selena's side rushed in and announced, "Miss Miranda, the Master has returned. Miss Selena has recounted the entire situation, and the Master wants you and to meet him in his chamber!" This news sent a ripple of tension through the room. Even Jack felt a pang of regret, but the man he had sent was already out of reach. All he could do was hope that Miss Miranda would be able to handle the Master.Mi
Jack entered the room to find Miss Selena, who had been the first to lodge a complaint, collapsed on the floor, trembling with fear. Meanwhile, Miss Miranda’s tear-streaked face still bore a hint of a smile, and the Earl’s eyes were full of admiration and affection. He silently rejoiced that he had made the right bet, outpacing others. After paying his respects, Jack respectfully reported, “My Lord, My Lady, Miss Miranda, following Miss Miranda’s analysis, it was determined that the theft must have been an inside job. Therefore, I conducted a thorough search within the estate. Indeed, I found the stolen items in the quarters of Miss Selena’s housekeeper. It appears that the housekeeper succumbed to temptation and committed the theft. I have come to report this matter.”Miranda had never said such a thing. Jack attributed the credit to her, signaling his loyalty.Having heard about the events in the front hall earlier, Earl Croyso was already impressed by his daughter’s wisdom and compo
****Within the palace, the air was thick with sandalwood incense.Lady Liudmila smiled softly as she considered the Emperor, who had summoned her despite his busy schedule. She couldn't help but recall the Empress's sharp words and biting sarcasm from the previous day. Lady Liudmila's expression became even more gentle. She knew that the Emperor appreciated her understanding nature, which was in stark contrast to the Empress's overbearing demeanor. Without fawning or attempting to seduce, she simply served quietly, creating an atmosphere of warmth and tranquility.The Emperor cast a brief glance at the gentle Lady Liudmila before returning his gaze to the scroll before him. Nodding in approval, he asked, "This poem is well-written. Who is the author?"Lady Liudmila stepped forward, glancing at the scroll before her. She smiled and said, "This was written by Miranda, the eldest daughter of Earl Croyso." As she spoke, she produced a sample of Miranda's handwriting from that day. "See, Y
That wretched girl come here for a vacation, did she? She’s bound to visit the hot springs. When the time comes, I’ll find a way to see her there and finally determine whether she has that mark or not! If she doesn’t have, I can finally expose her in front of the Earl. She’s not the real Miranda!With her plan in place, the Countess smiled warmly and said, “Miranda, aren’t you here to enjoy the hot springs? I’ve already ordered everything to be prepared. If you don’t mind, why don’t you join us for a bath?”Selena was stunned and stopped her knife and fork mid-air. “Mother!”Miranda's expression also seemed somewhat uncertain. “The Countess is being so considerate today that I’m almost flattered.”“I just want to take good care of you. After all, if you enjoy your vacation, we can return home sooner, can’t we?” The Countess, pretending to be respectful, offered a reason, hoping not to arouse Miranda’s suspicions. If Miranda didn’t join her in the hot springs, things could get tricky.M
Countess Croyso felt a surge of unspeakable satisfaction at having uncovered such a startling secret. Her voice was sharp and unyielding as she confronted Miranda, “You were sent by Lady Langley, weren’t you? Seizing the opportunity while the real Miranda was gravely ill, you took her place and dared to impersonate the young lady of the Croyso Estate. Your scheme was flawless, but you got too carried away, revealing countless inconsistencies that don’t align with Miranda’s character! I’ve watched Miranda since she was three years old—I can predict her every response. You couldn’t possibly be Miranda! Where is the real Miranda? Or is she dead? Julie had you impersonate Miranda just to re-establish ties with the Croyso family to profit and investigate us, didn’t she?”To her surprise, Miranda grew calmer under the Countess’s aggressive questioning.With a sudden twist of her wrist, she freed herself from the Countess’s grip, leisurely reaching for the gauze robe by the poolside and drapi
“What a clever ploy, setting up a false trail and luring people into a trap! It’s truly a pity, Miss Miranda, to be in this situation at such a young age!” The silver-masked man sighed wistfully, though his obsidian eyes were thoughtfully fixed on Miranda in the pool. Due to the hot spring, her wet black hair floated on the surface, revealing her slender neck. Although she wore a sheer garment, it clung to her skin, almost transparent from the water’s moisture, highlighting her smooth, jade-like complexion. The steamy ambiance of the hot spring made her form even more suggestive and intriguing.Her dark eyes, as clear as jade, and her subtly tinted lips made her natural beauty all the more alluring in this intimate setting.Despite her unusually calm demeanor, Miranda appeared as a beautiful young girl at the tender age of thirteen. How could someone so young display such contrasting personas? Innocent and naive in public, yet calm and wise behind the scenes. Her strategy against the C
As he was lost in thought, a breeze brought a faint fragrance, and a soft silk handkerchief covered his face, blocking his vision. He heard the sound of water and then the rustle of clothes as someone approached and stopped beside him. With his sight obscured, his other senses sharpened, allowing him to catch the faint scent of a woman, matching the fragrance on the handkerchief.Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his leg as someone kicked him hard."Idiot, I don't know if you came for me that day, but after facing danger, how could I not be prepared?" Miranda fumed, her anger flaring as she thought of how close her innocence had come to being ruined. She punched and kicked him until she was out of breath, then spat, "You should be thankful you didn’t see anything and turned away just now, or I would have killed you myself!"After one final kick, Miranda left in a huff.He was surprised she didn’t unmask him, feeling a mix of relief and amusement. Miranda'